“That is definitely a penalty for me that,” said Gary Neville on Sky Sports, with co-commentator Jamie Redknapp adding: “With VAR I think that is 100 per cent a penalty.”

Over on BBC Radio 5 Live, Dion Dublin concurred: “Dele Alli stopped in his tracks. And he’s right – that was a penalty.”

Studio: ‘It would have been harsh’

Graeme Souness was less sure than his colleagues that it was a penalty (Sky Sports)

Despite that initial certainty from the commentary box, there was doubt in the Sky Sports studio.

Former Liverpool captain Graeme Souness felt the lack of reaction time Walker had meant a penalty would have been “harsh”.

“Walker is running back towards his own goal. Alli checks back. It all happens so fast,” he said.

“That would have been very harsh. It’s a hard one for the referee. He’s right on the scene though. But that would be harsh to give a penalty for that.”

Manchester City Women’s defender and captain Steph Houghton agreed: “When you’re recovering back so fast like that [it’s difficult]. It’s clever what Dele does, but from Walker’s point of view you wouldn’t want that against you.”

Poch: ‘Definitely handball’

Mauricio Pochettino felt Tottenham deserved at least a point against Manchester City (Getty Images)

Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino felt it was a penalty, but did not appear to feel too aggrieved by it.

“I think it was a good game. We deserved more, at least a point, but sometimes in football it happens,” he told Sky Sports after the game.

“Look, I’m not going to complain. I’m a person who tries to be fair in my comments. I think the referee was in a very good position.

“I think it was handball. The referee can make a mistake, like us, but we are going to move on.”

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